I have had the Shuttle for about a month now and want to share some experiences of it.

Actual Data rate is 134Mb/s for 1080p 25, about 8Gb/min, so 15 mins fits on a 120Gb SSD,
and 160.3 mb/s for 1080p 30, about 9.5 Gb/min.

Recording from an 8 bit camera, the JVC GY-HM750, the picture is not brilliant, but hopefully better than native MP4.
I have yet to test them side by side.

The Shuttle is exellent and performs as advertised.
With an HD SDI input, the shuttle outputs live HDMI and HD SDI, and can be monitored using either.
I have monitored and played back video on a 46" Sony Bravia which looks excellent but close up it shows the 8 bit limitations of my camera.

SSD's can be easily formatted for the Shuttle in HFS+ via a USB dock on a PC using Macdrive.
Ingest is easy as, via a dock onto a hard drive, then opening in Premiere CS5.5.
The files can be played back and mixed in real time in Premiere on Windows 7 x64 with the right graphix card(Nvidea).
Output is possible using a large range of options in premiere, including Quicktime and, exporting in Uncompressed 10bit 4:2:2 HD, the file size remains the same and takes roughly 2 x realtime to render.

SSD's

BMD do not give much info on which SSD's are compatible so here is some research I did into SSD's for the Shuttle.

BMD Hyperdeck FAQs:
The following SSD's are (re)commended for uncompressed video capture:
1.OCZ 240GB Vertex 3
2.OCZ 480GB Vertex 3
3.Crucial 256GB C300
4.Kingston 64GB SSDNow V+
5.Kingston 128GB SSDNow V+

OLD VS NEW
There may be good reasons for using older SSD's with Toshiba T6UG1XBG controllers as they have always on garbage collection that gets around the lack of OS TRIM support of the shuttle, and no compression of files, so advertised speed = actually speed for incompressible data like UC 1080p HD.
Some older SATA 2 drives do better than new SATA 3's:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4316/ocz-vertex-3-240gb-review/6
Compare the OZC Vertex 3 120Gb(161.9Mb/s ISWS) to the Corsair Nova 128Gb(184.3Mb/s ISWS).
The OZC Vertex 240(284.4Mb/s ISWS) is approved by BMD but not the 120Gb(161.9Mb/s ISWS).

LACK OF OS TRIM SUPPORT
The Kingston SSDNow V+100 128GB, which is approved for use by BMD, addresses the lack of OS TRIM support by the Shuttle.
AnandTech - Kingston SSDNow V+100 Review (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4010/kingston-ssdnow-v-plus-100-review)
Without these features, drives will need to be periodically secure erased, as the nature of SSD's is such that constant writing and erasing causes the drives to lose performance.
Secure erasing is the SSD equivalent of defragging, but all data is lost, not an issue for a media disk though.
Secure erasing can be quite a challenging and risky process for the inexperienced.
Experimenting with SE, I cooked 2 Force 60 drives that did not support SE and had to RMA them.

NEW GENERATION SPEED
SSD's with the latest generation of Sandforce controllers, have seriously high Sequential Write speeds, but the important spec is Incompressible Sequential Write speed which is significantly lower than the former.
AnandTech - The SandForce Roundup: Corsair, Kingston, Patriot, OCZ, OWC & MemoRight SSDs Compared (http://www.anandtech.com/show/4604/the-sandforce-roundup-corsair-patriot-ocz-owc-memoright-ssds-compared/5)
For example, the OZC Vertex 3 240Gb, which is also approved by BMD for the shuttle.
It has the new SATA 3 interface and has a Sequential Write speed of 480Mb/s, but an Incompressible SWS of 284.4Mb/s.
Since the Shuttle is SATA 2 the full performance benefits are not available to the Shuttle, nor will they be needed.
We only need to clear the hurdle of 134-161Mb/s ISWS to record 1080p 25-30fps.
However, the overhead of backward compatibilty of SATA 3 to 2, and the need to handle Incompressible files, reduces the performance of most of these new generation SSD's down to barely coping with 161mb/s ISWS.

SIZE
A further factor is the size of the SSD.
Due to SSD structure, 240Gb SSD's are double the speed(for Incompressible data) of 120Gb ones.
Again, the OZC Vertex 240 is approved by BMD but not the 120gb.

NAND
Lastly, some new SSD's use Aynchronous NAND , and others use Synchonous NAND which is faster.
It seems a 120Gb drive with the new Sandforce controller, and Synchronous NAND, will just scrape over the line to meet specs for 1080 30p, 161mb/s ISWS.
Whereas SSD's without Synchonous NAND, like the OZC Agility 3 120Gb, and Corsair Force 3 120Gb, will not make the grade.
The Kingston HyperX 120Gb does the job for UC HD 1080 25 and 30p recording from my camera.
The Corsair Force GT 120Gb (161.5Mb/s ISWS) has similar specs to the HyperX and so should be enough for UC HD 1080 30p as well.

TO SUM UP
SSD's with new Sandforce SF-2281 controllers, preferably 240Gb, (or 120Gb with Synchronous NAND), will do the job.
You will have to Secure Erase once performance drops.
Unless you get a Kingston SSDNow V+100 128GB(192mb/s ISWS), then always on garbage collection will free you from lower performance, (but at the expense of shortening the life of the drive).

Good info Paul, thanks.
How long roughly does the internal battery last?
Steve

Thanks Steve.
Not sure yet as I have only being doing short tests, but it seems to last for a long time and stays charged in between use for over a month.
A good sign.
It will surely stay charged for over an hour of recording.
There is a new upgrade for firmware which purports to address a bug where the Shuttle powers down after 50% charge when used in converter mode.
I have not encountered this situation yet.
There is a 12v input and the Shuttle is supposed to handle a range of 12-18v, so good for camera/battery power inputs.
When external 12v input is used, the internal battery is also charged.
The Shuttle comes with a mains charger.

Paul,
can you explain a bit how you're backing-up data, are you editing off the drives?
I'm considering to get the Hyperdeck over the samurai but the intense data is scary.

Let's say i need an hour of 25p rushes = 500GB, how much time does it take to copy that from the ssd to an external HD or to the internal raid on the mac?

Recording in uncompressed, the Hyperdeck Shuttle has large data rates, but full HD SDI. The Atomos uses high quality compression. They are suited to quite different applications. Not that I have seen the Samurai. I am waiting for a PIX 240 to ship. I have only experimented with short clips but a 10Gb clip only takes a few minutes to txfer. Quicker than tape, that's for sure. I wouldn't see the time in txfering as the main concern. Editing off the drive did not work for me with a USB cradle but might with eSATAp. Playing it back on a computer requires a good rig, nothing too expensive though. I happen to have a pc with the required specs so no extra cost there. The Shuttle is a very cheap yet high quality solution for ingest. Relatively cheap. With an SSD aroundof $500 you will get approx 1hr of full HD. That's still less than 1/2 the price of the Samurai all up. I decided to get the Shuttle while waiting for the PIX, which being a recorder of compressed HD will not have the same quality, but will cost 4 times the price. If one shoots lots of live events, a Shuttle would not be an option, but if not, it's actually going to be better for some applications like high end work, blue screening, compositing etc. My experiences of production are that 1-2hrs max per day of tape is the rule, usually less for quality work. The Shuttle would probably have suited my purposes and I could have done without the PIX.

I'm looking hard at the Samurai, AjaMiniPro, Pix and Shuttle and going steadily cross-eyed. On paper the Sam looks the best bang for buck, but the shuttle maybe gives the very best visual output. How about the sound aspect? The Pix seems the best followed closely by the Aja. Can't see any firm specs re the Sam sound input other than it's via jacks instead of xlr - not so good IMO.

Any thoughts to help me un-cross the eyes would be most welcome.

People always seem to love the audio pre-amps on the PIX (it's a sound device after all)
but shouldn't we use the camera inputs and transfer those on HDSDI for perfect sync?
And if we're already using a sound device mixer on set,do we still need those pre-amps?

I know i get some sync issues on the edit workstation if i monitor throuh sdi and audio through mac audio out.

I'm looking hard at the Samurai, AjaMiniPro, Pix and Shuttle and going steadily cross-eyed. On paper the Sam looks the best bang for buck, but the shuttle maybe gives the very best visual output. How about the sound aspect? The Pix seems the best followed closely by the Aja. Can't see any firm specs re the Sam sound input other than it's via jacks instead of xlr - not so good IMO.

Any thoughts to help me un-cross the eyes would be most welcome.
Between the Samurai, AjaMiniPro, Pix, the PIX looks like the most versatile and robust device, but wait until I get one then let me confirm this. These will probably all match for picture quality but function differently.

I bought the shuttle on a gamble that this was a great device that would be at least useful if not the best solution.
I'm satisfied with it on that basis.
The PIX looks like the best recorder available.
We will see.

My understanding is retail units are on the way to the vendors. I don't know how many but there should be some people getting them in their hands next week or soon thereafter. Hopefully we will hear about it as they start to arrive.

It is a very nice recorder. I'll be shooting with it on Sunday for a local production doing some behind the scenes/interviews. I know that may sound like a job not up to its value but its going to be a good no pressure test.

If all goes well the first real project I'll shot with the F3/S-Log with (possibly the PIX240) external recorder is for a series pilot being shot in NC in January.

Thanks Paul and Chris. I look forward to hearing what you think. I need one for something that might get broadcast so need the best quality sound. I'll be feeding it with a Rode NTG3, probably. So that would mean adapters for the Samurai - another bit to connect/dislodge/worry about in the heat of battle. Not sure about that.

Excellent resource for cables and connectors:
Laird Telemedia Laird Red One Video 3G SDI DIN RA 1.0/2.3 to BNC Adapter Cable - 1 Foot - Red Din to Din Cables at Markertek.com (http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Computer-Data-Cables/Din-to-Din-Cables/Laird-Telemedia/RD1-DINAB-1RD.xhtml?RD1-DINAB-1RD)

Mounting the Shuttle on a camera.

I invested in a Shuttle Mounting plate but discovered that it weighs 600gms which adds significantly to my cameras overall weight, and the position I wanted to mount it, on the left of the battery, would make it lopsided when going hand held.

So I made a modification to the backplate of the Shuttle and screwed it to the Anton Bauer backplate which has fittings for wireless boxes etc.
This greatly improved the ergonomics, placing the Shuttle where controls are easily seen and accessible.
The SSD is easily removed too.
Power is via a DTap to 2.5mm DC plug from the AB mount.

Paul, can I ask what kind of arm you are using for your monitor, and is it sturdy?
Need to get one in the next week.
cheers

It's from a Chinese company called CoolLCD.
Its good quality and very good value, very sturdy, though the the 1/4" screw needs to be tightly screwed to the camera.
This would be the same for any arm no doubt.
Cheapest Articulating Arm, Discount Magic Articulating Arm, Wholesale Magic Arm (http://www.coollcd.com/articulating-arms_c891?zenid=9a50e2dcf2647accf99d795069abdec1)
They couriered it over from China by DHL in 4 days for a freight low cost.
They have some new ones since I bought this in July last year.
Their lights look interesting too.

Thanks for that Paul.
It'l do me fine.
cheers

Wow cannot believe that you would get only 1/2 an hour of footage on a 256GB SATA drive. Are there any compressed settings for use with Premiere CS5.5?

Wow cannot believe that you would get only 1/2 an hour of footage on a 256GB SATA drive. Are there any compressed settings for use with Premiere CS5.5?
That is with uncompressed video.
With the new Shuttle 2 and firmware 2.5, there are 2 types of Avid compressed DNxHD one of which works well with Premiere.
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/blackmagic-design-hyperdeck-shuttle/504548-hypderdeck-shuttle-2-supports-dnxhd.html

See here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/cineform-software-showcase/506313-cineform-blackmagic-hyperdeck-ii.html#post1724369

ffmbc now supports reading of the op-atom DNxHD MXF files from the Hyperdeck series.

Hi Guys

I have a Canon XLH1 and a Sony Ex1 (eraly firmware-1.02). The question is can I use this device for my cameras?

Much appreciated

Kent.

Kent Nguyen
They both have HD-SDI, so yes.

Dear Zach
for the EX1, The recording format is in MPEG4. For the Hyperdeck can only record uncompressed file which lasts only 12.5 minutes on 120Gbs. I just wonder if the Hyperdeck can do the compressed file as the SxS card?

Best

You can use DNxHD codec which is explained here:
DNxHD codec - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNxHD_codec)
it gives you about 4-5 times more recording time
Your editor must support this format natively, when you start converting (ffmpeg) you'll usually end up 8-bit

Shuttle on F900.

Hi guys,

I'm considering getting a Hyperdeck 2 for my work (recording in DNxHD), but I'm wondering whether you are actually seeing any significant differences in quality over the standard internal camera codecs? I know there must be some difference, but does it justify the massive hike in file sizes in your eyes?

Hi guys,

I'm considering getting a Hyperdeck 2 for my work (recording in DNxHD), but I'm wondering whether you are actually seeing any significant differences in quality over the standard internal camera codecs? I know there must be some difference, but does it justify the massive hike in file sizes in your eyes?

If you are doing green-screen work or serious compositing then it can be truly beneficial. If you are shooting straight video and you are happy with the look of your current footage the improvement will not likely be noticed.

Paul, How do you like the footage from your hyperdeck on your JVC bypassing the HDV compressor? I've got a JVC HD-110 that I could get a Component/SDI or Component/HDMI converter and use one myself. Would love to keep my camera and move away from HDV for better post work and final results.

Any practical testing have you done with some side by side footage for example?

thanks

Hi Alex and sorry for the slow reply.
The picture from a JVC GYHM750 was quite noisy even from the HDSDI output.
There was not a great advantage over HDV.

I had the HD-111.
Once you converted 720p analogue to compressed 10bit digital I would imagine it would have a very noisy picture.
It may be better to stick with HDV.

Hi all,
Paul great post. I have just a few simple newbie questions about the BMD Hyperdesk Shuttle 2.
In my work I was using Adobe Premiere Pro 5 and switched to using Pinnacle Studio for the ipad. Currently My setup consists of the following...
Canon 60D camera
Hyperdrive UDMA2
Ipad3 using the Apps Pinacle Studio, Video Grade, Photofrge2, Artstudio and DispRecorder.
I already have a Sandisk Extreme 480GB SSD. I called BMD and that drive has been tested to work with the Hyperdesk Shuttle 2.
I also have the Sony FX-7 camera.
I wanted to turn this camera into a tapeless recording camera. I need a device that can record in the iPad h.264 MOV file format directly. I read many of the notes here and it looks like all formats are uncompressed file formats for the Hyperdesk Shuttle 2. Is this correct? Is any one of the formats comparable with the ipad?
I would like a device that could record 3-5 hours of video on a single 480GB SSD.
My Canon 60D can record 45 minutes on a 32GB SD memory card. I am using magic lantern version 2.3. I think the video quality is quite good. I have a consumer grade lens for the camera.

Thanks,
John Gerard

Hyperdeck Shuttle 2 latest firmware supports two compressed file formats: DNxHD and Prores HQ, both 10bit 4:2:2. I've used both but latterly mostly Prores on a 128GB SSD and I get around 60 minutes of recording at 1080p 24fps, so your 480GB SSD should do around 4 hours of recording or so.

Hope that helps

Neil

Good read this thread.

Thought I would add my rig image.

Pete

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q25m6atu11xvkry/DSC_0292ED.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gj5sittidmmf338/DSC_0279ED.jpg

Very niiiice, Peter. Somewhere in there is a camera, right?

Allegedly!

It's a Panasonic AG AF102 (Not sure what the difference is from a 101)

It's now been joined by a Shuttle side mounted and a rear V-Lock battery and pinch plate... lol

Hi Alex and sorry for the slow reply.
The picture from a JVC GYHM750 was quite noisy even from the HDSDI output.
There was not a great advantage over HDV.

I had the HD-111.
Once you converted 720p analogue to compressed 10bit digital I would imagine it would have a very noisy picture.
It may be better to stick with HDV.

Paul,

I'm even slower! Hmmm I see on my JVC HD110 the live component footage is a lot cleaner than the post HDV compression. I"m gambling on a test with Blackmagic shuttle pro via thunderbolted to a laptop perhaps to capture the 4.2.2 and be better for post work than the HDV. I was hoping you would be raving how much better your experience was, but it doesn't sound like it. If I wanted to use the Hyperdeck I guess I would need a component to HDMI converter or a more expensive Component to HD-SDI converter, and I doubt it would be worth it. On your testing where you speaking of the quality difference between 4.2.2 SDI vs XDCAM-EX format or HDV? In my HDV rolling from medium grey to black can be very choppy reminding me of old 8bit video game shading. Was your XDCAM-EX or SDI Hypserdeck live capture better in shadows vs HDV?

Hi.. can somebody here tell me how to read MXF DnXHd files from Hyperdeck Shuttle on Premiere on Mac?
I installe Avid Codecs but still can't get it to work. On the net somebodysays that Hyperdeck's DnXHD is not really standard dnXHD (allthough on Avid software should be ok.. I don't have it).
Any ideas?

Hi Marcelli - the MXF wrapper for DNxHD is OP ATOM1 from memory - it is designed to go straight into the Avid MediaFiles dir and be read natively by Avid bypassing the QT handler (a good thing) - The avid QT codecs are for DNxHD.mov files.
I don't know if any version of Premiere supports Avids MXF format. I'll test tomorrow

Hey Marcello, I mistakenly recorded to .MXF instead of .MOV the first time I used my Hyperdeck too. My solution was to use the free version of DaVinci Resolve Lite to transcode the files to .MOV